Regan Brown
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are a type of zero-emission vehicle that runs on electricity generated by an onboard fuel cell. Unlike electric vehicles, which store electricity in batteries, fuel cell cars generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen in a process known as reverse electrolysis. This electricity is then used to power the car's electric motor, with water vapour as the only tailpipe emission. While fuel cell cars offer advantages such as smooth and quiet operation, reduced charging times, and zero emissions, they face challenges related to the limited availability of hydrogen fuel infrastructure and higher costs compared to traditional vehicles or electric vehicles. As of 2024, there were only about 17,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads, all of which were in California, and the number of hydrogen fuelling stations has not kept pace with initial plans. Despite these challenges, major automakers offer fuel cell cars for sale or lease in popular vehicle types, and incentives such as rebates and clean air vehicle decals are available in some regions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the US | 17,000 |
| Number of EVs in the US | 3 million |
| Number of hydrogen fueling stations in California | < 60 |
| Number of hydrogen fueling stations in the US | < 50 |
| Number of hydrogen-powered vehicles sold in the US in 2023 | 3,143 |
| Number of BEVs sold in the US in 2023 | 380,000 |
| Number of FCEVs sold worldwide as of December 2020 | 31,225 |
| Number of Honda Clarity Fuel Cells sold between 2016 and 2021 | 1,900 |
| Number of Hyundai Nexo SUVs sold as of 2024 | 1,600 |
| Number of Toyota Mirais sold in the US as of 2021 | 14,300 |
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What You'll Learn
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are zero-emission vehicles
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are eligible for rebates in California
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are available for sale or lease
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are more expensive than comparable e-cars
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are smooth, quiet, and peaceful to drive
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are zero-emission vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) are electric vehicles that produce electricity onboard through a process known as reverse electrolysis. Hydrogen is introduced to the anode, and oxygen is introduced to the cathode, generating electrical energy that powers the vehicle. Unlike battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), FCEVs do not require recharging and can be refuelled in just five minutes, providing a range of 300 to 400 miles.
FCEVs are considered zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) as they emit only water vapour and heat as byproducts, with no harmful tailpipe emissions. This makes them a much cleaner alternative to traditional internal combustion engines, which emit pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHGs) that contribute to climate change. The absence of harmful emissions makes FCEVs particularly suitable for use in warehouses and public transport. For example, the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District in California has successfully adopted a fleet of hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses, generating over 5 million miles and eliminating over 12,800 metric tons of CO2.
However, the adoption of FCEVs as passenger cars has been limited. As of 2022, there were only around 17,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles on US roads, all of which were in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations. The limited hydrogen infrastructure and the high cost of hydrogen fuel have been significant barriers to the widespread adoption of FCEVs. Additionally, critics have questioned the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen fuel cell technology compared to other zero-emission alternatives, such as BEVs.
Despite these challenges, there is still interest in hydrogen as a low- and zero-carbon fuel option. Hydrogen is abundant and can be produced from various domestic resources. As hydrogen technology scales up, costs are expected to decrease, making it more competitive with other energy sources. However, the production of hydrogen fuel currently relies mostly on natural gas, which is energy-intensive and can result in CO2 emissions if not properly captured and sequestered.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are eligible for rebates in California
- Drive Clean! Rebate Program: The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) administers this program, offering rebates of up to $3,000 for the purchase or lease of eligible new vehicles, including hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. These rebates are available to residents and businesses located within the SJVAPCD on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Clean Air Grants: The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD) provides grants to offset the costs of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, including the purchase of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Priority is given to projects located in multifamily housing or low-income communities.
- Clean Vehicle Rebate Project: Hydrogen fuel cell car purchasers in California are eligible for a $4,500 rebate, which increases to $7,500 for income-qualified buyers, through this project.
- Clean Transportation Program: The California Energy Commission (CEC) administers this program, providing financial incentives to various entities, including businesses, vehicle manufacturers, and consumers, to promote the development and deployment of alternative fuels and advanced transportation technologies, such as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
- Zero Emission Assurance Project (ZAP): Established by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), ZAP offers rebates for the replacement of batteries, fuel cells, or other related components for eligible used zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and near-ZEVs.
- Local Incentives: Several local jurisdictions in California, such as the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District (AVAQMD) and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), offer rebates and grants for the purchase or lease of electric vehicles, including fuel cell electric vehicles. These programs aim to make clean transportation more accessible to income-eligible residents.
While these rebate programs aim to promote the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, it's worth noting that the availability of hydrogen fuel remains a challenge. California has fewer than 60 hydrogen fueling stations, falling short of the initially planned 100 stations. This limited infrastructure can impact the feasibility of owning a hydrogen-powered vehicle.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are available for sale or lease
In 2024, the Honda CR-V e:FCEV became available for lease only, in very limited quantities. The Hyundai Nexo was also available for lease from 2014 to 2018, when 54 units were leased. The Honda FCX Clarity was introduced in 2008 for leasing in Japan and Southern California and was discontinued by 2015, with 45 FCX units leased in the US during that time.
While hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are currently available in limited quantities, there are some advantages to this technology. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are powered by an electric motor and are therefore classified as e-cars. They are smooth, quiet, and peaceful to drive, and they emit no carbon dioxide or other harmful exhaust from their tailpipes, only water vapour. They also lack the charging time problem that EVs have; refuelling typically takes just five minutes for another 300 to 400 miles of range.
However, there are also some disadvantages to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The most significant challenge is the availability of hydrogen fuel. As of 2020, there were fewer than 50 hydrogen fuelling stations for automobiles publicly available in the US. In 2024, Mirai owners filed a class-action lawsuit in California over the lack of hydrogen availability for fuel cell electric cars. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are also currently more expensive than comparable e-cars with batteries or internal combustion engines.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are more expensive than comparable e-cars
The lack of infrastructure for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is another factor that contributes to their higher cost. There are currently only around 1000 refueling stations globally, with fewer than 50 publicly available in the US as of 2020. In contrast, there are thousands of charging stations for electric vehicles worldwide, making them a more convenient and cost-effective option for consumers.
The limited production and availability of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles also contribute to their higher cost. Only a few hydrogen car models are available for purchase, with just two models publicly available in select markets as of 2021. In comparison, there are about 57 battery-electric vehicle models available in the US, and this number is expected to increase.
The high cost of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is further exacerbated by their expensive maintenance and inefficient fuel cells. Additionally, the industrialization of production is not yet fully developed, and the demand for platinum plays a role in keeping costs high.
While hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer advantages such as longer driving ranges and quick refueling times, their higher cost compared to e-cars remains a significant barrier to their widespread adoption.
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Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are smooth, quiet, and peaceful to drive
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are electric cars with a twist. They are powered by an electric motor, but instead of drawing electricity from a battery, they generate it themselves using a fuel cell. This fuel cell combines hydrogen from the car's tank with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, which powers the car.
This innovative technology has a lot of advantages. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are smooth, quiet, and peaceful to drive. They emit no carbon dioxide or harmful exhaust, only water vapour. They also lack the charging time problem that battery-electric cars have. Refuelling a hydrogen-powered car takes just five minutes for another 300-400 miles of driving.
However, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles do have some disadvantages. The most significant challenge is the availability of hydrogen fuel. While California, for example, was supposed to have 100 hydrogen stations by 2022, it has fewer than 60, and not all of these are operational. This lack of infrastructure has led to criticism of hydrogen as an inefficient alternative to other zero-emission technologies. Hydrogen fuel is also expensive, and its production is energy-intensive and often reliant on fossil fuels.
Despite these drawbacks, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a functioning reality. Since 2015, three hydrogen-powered cars have been offered for sale: the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, the Hyundai Nexo SUV, and the Toyota Mirai. As of 2020, 31,225 hydrogen-powered passenger cars had been sold worldwide, with 17,000 of these in California, the only U.S. state with a network of hydrogen fuelling stations. While this pales in comparison to the millions of electric vehicles on the road, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are still an important part of the transition to zero-emission transport.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are. As of December 2020, 31,225 passenger FCEVs powered with hydrogen had been sold worldwide. However, they are not very common, with only about 17,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles on U.S. roads, all of them in California.
Some examples of fuel cell cars include the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, the Hyundai Nexo SUV, and the Toyota Mirai.
Fuel cell cars are powered by compressed hydrogen gas that feeds into an onboard fuel cell stack. This stack transforms the fuel's chemical energy into electrical energy, which powers the car's electric motors.
Fuel cell cars are quiet, smooth, and peaceful to drive. They are also highly energy efficient, produce no emissions, and have a range and performance similar to gasoline cars.
One of the main disadvantages of fuel cell cars is the limited availability of hydrogen fuel. Additionally, fuel cell cars currently cost more than comparable e-cars with batteries or internal combustion engines.
